numbers that start with zero and webforms

John Freund

I have a webform that I am trying to create but one of the columns is a number field where the number commonly starts with a 0.  My problem is that when you submit a number that starts with a 0, the 0 gets dropped unless the field is formatted as text.   In smartsheet, the only way I see to format a field as text is to add an apostrophe before typing in the number.  The problem with that is that this is a user form and most users will not type the apostrophe.  As a result, we get numbers being submitted that are not correct.

 

Is there a way to force a column to be text so this will work properly?

Or a way for the form to automatically add the apostrophy without actually placing it by default in the field?  I tried using the default value option but many users will type over it or delete it before adding information.

Jeremy Michels

What is the purpose of the number? A good better best evaluation or a qty needed? 

 

It would help to know more detail. I have several ways to solve your issue possibly.

 

John Freund

In this instance, the numbers would be barcodes or PLU numbers.

The leading zero is required.

Travis

John, Contact List columns will not strip the 0's out. Just use that instead of a Text/Number column. 

John Freund

That seems to do the trick.

Thank You!

J. Craig Williams

John,

 

You could also have the user enter normally - either 001 or 1

and have another column determine the padding.

If you don't need to do calculations (and you probably don't), then the Contact List type is OK.

Be aware that 001 + 1 = 0011

 

Craig

stan miskiewicz

Why doesn’t smart sheet just fix this bug, I call it a bug because it’s a mistake in judgement.

I just did over 600 items for an inventory count and now I see that all items that have "0" as the first digit is missing on the UPC code.

What is going on here!?

Now when I bar scan for on item it is not found, I have to the through all the items again for the ones that have a ZERO as the first number!?

That is crazy....a mistake.....and needs to be corrected.

Excel does not drop a zero, what genius decided it needed to be done.

Real bummer.... Makes smartsheet useless for inventory.

having to use a contact column..... Really,

Just fix it.

Dan Chambers

Hi Stan and John,

 

Does the UPC code in SS need to be a complete string, or could the barcode scanner handle a space in the numbering?

 

I find a similar problem with telephone numbers in a Text/Number column, but inserting a space (or hyphen) between the area code and number forces SS to show the zero.

Our calling system simply ignores this when dialling.

 

 

All the best,